Farmers in Karnataka have welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to withdraw the three contentious farm laws and have described the development as a victory for the non-violent struggle of the farming community.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) leader Badgalpura Nagendra said that the development is proof that the government has to bow and listen to the voice of the people.
Terming the development as historic, the KRRS leader said, despite difference of views on various issues, the country had united against the farm laws forcing the government to repeal them.
Farmers braved the elements of nature, including the scorching heat, biting cold and rain, but did not relent. They put up with their struggle for one year forcing the government to withdraw the laws, said Mr. Nagendra.
Kurubur Shanthakumar, president, Karnataka State Sugarcane Cultivators’ Association, said that the decision to withdraw the farm laws should serve as a warning to the government and political parties that they cannot take farmers for granted. “There were concerted efforts to break the struggle and suppress the voice of farmers, but they did not succeed,” he said.
The duo regretted the demise of 671 farmers during the course of the struggle.
They said that farmers will continue to be vigilant in view of speculation that the move to repeal the farm laws was a political one in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The duo want the government to also accept their demand for a law ensuring statutory guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce.
'Why no ordinance to repeal farm laws?'
Most farmers' associations have welcomed the announcement of the Centre's intent to repeal the contentious farm laws, but will celebrate only once the Union Government actually repeals the laws. They also want Karnataka to withdraw its farm laws.
"I will be happy the day the laws are actually repealed in Parliament," said Sidagouda Modagi, Krishik Samaj leader. He pointed out that Karnataka had passed similar laws, including amending the Land Reforms Act that enabled corporations and rich individuals to buy huge tracts of land. "All these have to be repealed if the situation has to return to normal,’’ he said.
Jayashree Gurannanavar, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Dalit Sangharsha Samiti leader, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have made the announcement after repealing the laws.
"If the Central Government can bring in ordinances to introduce several laws, why can it not repeal the laws using ordinances?’ All the laws were aimed at promoting corporate farming. The BJP government is in favour of corporates. It is easier to see why they were adamant on the farm laws. Now, if the government has really undergone a change of heart, it should change the laws immediately,’’ she said.
Choonappa Pujari, farmers’ leader, demanded that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai make similar announcements about repeal of Karnataka’s farm laws. In a way, Karnataka’s farm laws and amendments to the revenue laws are more dangerous than the Central laws. "They need to be repealed immediately,’’ he said.
